Louis Boston
We hate to break it to you: Your dog is definitely getting laughed out of the park in that chain store sweater. Louis's fashion-forward wagwear—print collars, camo rain vests, skull-and-bones hoodies—will have your mutt looking catwalk ready. The store also sells handpainted ceramic food bowls and (very civilized) squeaky monsters. 60 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 2110, louisboston.com.
Marathon Sports
The wall of New Balance, Nike, Brooks, and Saucony sneakers is just for starters. Marathon Sports also stocks running maps, reflective vests, fuel belts, and fun gadgets. But what really keeps us coming back to this repeat Best of Boston winner is the service. Staffers here will analyze your stride—after you take a self-conscious sprint down the sidewalk—before slipping your foot into the perfect shoe. 671 Boylston St., Boston, MA marathonsports.com.
Yale Appliance and Lighting
Your flambé skills may be supreme, but if your kitchen equipment isn't, "heat and stir" is about as gourmet as dinner's going to get. Fortunately, Yale stocks some of the finest appliances around—stainless-steel Sub-Zero fridges, stovetops, and Theramdor free ranges. And the service is superb: The store offers demonstrations and will deliver and remove appliances. 296 Freeport St., Dorchester, MA yaleappliance.com.
Gentle Giant
It is worth the hassle of moving simply for the pleasure of employing perennial winners Gentle Giant. The entire process unfolds like a dream: Book the move with a phone call and watch as the exceedingly polite, good-humored movers show up on time, load your belongings into the truck with astonishing grace and speed, and unload them—in their proper places—into your new home. Yes, they're more expensive than other movers, but they're worth it. 29 Harding Street, Somerville, MA gentlegiant.com.
Matsu
Luddites rejoice. Perhaps the factory-inspired, hard-sell, high-tech atmosphere infiltrating most retail outlets inspired Dava Muramatsu to open a store that has your spiritual well-being in mind. Sure she sells great designer togs from Dosa, Cynthia Rowley, and Lilith among others, but she also stocks objects of beauty for body, home, and soul. Keep your eyes peeled for her seasonal festivals featuring yoga instructor Roni Brisette, astrologer Elizabeth Hermon, and hair maestro Troi. 259 Newbury Street, Boston, MA matsuboston.com.
Giorgio Armani
This is not your father's monkey suit. No longer need you dread that command: black tie. For a well-cut tux that will stand the test of time, Giorgio Armani has the ne plus ultra in evening attire. But if your pocketbook can't stand the stress, there's always Emporio Armani, where the tuxedos are a little funkier. Remember, there's safety in black—unless it's a very dark French navy. 22 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Mr. Sid
If you hate to shop but need to update your wardrobe, Mr. Sid's can outfit you from head to toe and also provide a few divertissements—namely a bar, antique pool table, and hair salon. At least you'll have something to do while your clothes are pressed and tailored. The store carries everything from casual to formal wear, including labels Brioni, Hugo Boss, Segna, Hickey Freeman, and Canali. 1211 Centre St., Newton Centre, MA .
Zimman's
The selection of fabrics is so enticing it makes you think about taking that adult ed upholstery course. Whether you're looking for a snippet for the perfect set of throw pillows or vast yardage for lush drapes to pool along your hardwood floor, this is the place. You'll get decorator-quality fabrics at an honest price. Your only problem will be finding someone who can sew. 80 Market St., Lynn, MA .
Canyon Beachwear
There's something disconcerting about trying on swimsuits in badly lighted dressing rooms that seem to highlight every wrinkled lump on your legs. Canyon Beachwear feels your pain: It offers mix-and-match tops and bottoms for whose who fit into a 12 on the bottom but a 6 on the top. The store carries one-piece suits, bikinis, tankinis, and wraps from Domani, Calvin Klein, Anne Cole, Manuel Conovas, Jag, Esprit, and Mossimo, among others. 229 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Allston Car Wash
At $16.95 a pop, and less than 30 minutes from start to finish, vehicular makeovers of this sort could turn into a weekly tradition. The speedy but conscientious staff wipes down and vacuums your car's interior (including under the floor mats), then sends the car through the automatic wash. A meticulous hand-drying leaves your vehicle looking like new. 434 Cambridge St., Allston, MA allstoncarwash.com.
Marisa DeMarco, Salon Mario Russo
Finally: a hairdresser who actually listens to your requests and delivers. DeMarco stays away from a on-ecut-suits-all technique, preferring to update your look gradually without any sudden, drastic changes. Based in the Louis Boston location of Salon Mario Russo, she's equally adept at color, for those who like to keep their salon visits down to a minimum. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA mariorusso.com.
Giuliano Day Spa
The highly trained aestheticians at Giuliano are experts with the spa's specialized Phytobiodermie line, which is based on Chinese herbal medicine. They say it's about energy flow and biorhythms. We say it's about luxe pampering and velvety skin. Either way, the facials take into account your birth date (stay with us here), then custom-tailor herbal extracts around the natural elements that relate to your skin type. Whatever. It's pure heaven. 338 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Grettacole
No foot is too foul for Lisa, Gretchen, and Valerie, the pedicurists at Grettacole. In their expert hands, your calluses disappear and your toenails are topped with the latest fashionable hue. In additional to the classic pedicure, the salon also offers a rose-oil version, plus a "signature" treatment that uses paraffin wax for softening and exfoliating. Watch out for the new Grettacole opening at the Westin Copley Place this fall. The Atrium Mall, Chestnut Hill, MA grettacole.com.
Ronnie Sullivan, True Colours
No matter how stressed your tresses, Sullivan can fix them at his new color-only salon in the South End. Brassy blondes and lackluster brunettes alike have all been transformed. Sullivan has even been known to foil short hair (most colorists force single-processing). While he can't promise a mane as glorious and glossy as it-model Gisele Bundchen's, he'll at the very least take your hair to a higher level. 55 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA .
Kenneth Baldwin, Premier Fitness
If he can train Alan Dershowitz, we're pretty sure he can train anyone. We're convinced Baldwin knows the human body outside-in. While he's teaching you proper weightlifting, he explains how each muscle group is working. While you're doing cardio, he gives a minicourse on how your heart is pumping. So you exercise and feel smarter, all at once. Baldwin gets results—without boring you back to your couch-potato world. 61 Cedar St., Suite A, Cambridge, MA .